Bubble Algae

[poleyc]

Has anyone tried using a syringe on bubble algae? I see a single bubble forming and i'm REALLY tempted to try it :headscrat

[Jfish]

I wouldn't recommend trying to pop the bubbles, they could be filled with spores that spread and grow elsewhere in your tank. From my experience the bubbles have a fairly thick skin and are pretty tough. When I find one I wait for the next water change and pull the rock, place it in the used water and scrape/pry or tooth brush the bubbles off. After that I try to rise the rock before its replaced so no spores are going back into the tank.

In the past I have just gotten the bubbles loose in the tank then removed them. I have also accidentally popped bubble algae while trying to do this without a major outbreak. Its possible the skimmer will catch the free floating spores but not something I want to rely on.

[Planeguy]

I used an emerald crab. Put him in the tank and 2 months later, no more bubbles.

[poleyc]

I googled it when I thought of the idea and this is what I found http://reefbuilders.com/2007/03/23/how-to-remove-bubble-algae-from-your-saltwater-aquairum-with-syringes/

Seems doable no?

[Myka]

Why not reach in there and pull it off? They are easy to remove.

[kelbri]

I used a bamboo skewer and just pried them right off the rock while doing a water change. The vacuum tube was right there and sucked them right out. Like Jfish, I too have popped one or two without a major breakout, and i don't have a skimmer yet. After 2 water changes, I had gotten them all and haven't had a problem since (that would be going on about 4 or 5 months now).